Cortical sparing adrenalectomy, and when is it indicated?
Patients with pheochromocytomas associated with a familial syndrome are at increased risk of developing bilateral and/or recurrent pheochromocytomas. These patients may be treated with cortical-sparing (partial) adrenalectomy in an effort to prevent adrenal insufficiency should another pheochromocytoma arise requiring additional adrenalectomy. This approach balances the benefit of avoiding the need for lifelong hormone replacement with a low risk of recurrence in the adrenal remnant (≈ 7%).
